Best Decision I've Made Past Review
By A student (International Studies, Spanish, English Literature, Loras College) - abroad from 01/09/2012 to 05/07/2012 with
Universidad De Santiago de Compostela: Santiago de Compostela - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned more about other countries and cultures through my classes and through meeting people from all over the world. I also found more about myself, in how I relate to people to the world around me. It was definitely worthwhile.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
As we discussed, the language course was very basic and not challenging at all. However, the other courses were challenging and interesting. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone who worked in the Office, including professors, was fantastic. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family and would not have changed anything. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt like I was able to see and be part of the local culture through my host family, my internship and my volunteership, though I felt a bit removed from the student culture because we only had classes with other international students. I was lucky that the language exchange was successful because I met and was able to spend time with Galician students in one way or another, and eventually became very good friends with three of them. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any problems in this regard. |
| * Safety: |
Santiago was a very safe city, and I never once was concerned for my safety. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
|
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around $150. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Write down everything you spend money on from day 1. This helps you get into the habit. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I can't think of anything. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
